Diane Cox

Achievements:
First woman to earn an AMA Expert professional license and to qualify for a national championship.

In 1974, Diane Cox, of Salem, Oregon, became the first woman in history to earn an AMA Expert professional license, and in 1975, became the first woman to qualify for a national championship program, earning a scratch heat position at the Houston Astrodome short track national. Born in 1957, Cox began riding motorcycles at the age of 10 and entered an amateur competition at the age of 11. She turned pro at 16 and qualified for an Expert license in the minimum allowable period of two years. During 1977, she campaigned the back-up machine of Grand National Champion Gary Scott.